7 Easy Ways to Fix Your Age-Related Back Pain
A person is said to have chronic back pain if it lasts for more than three months. Particularly, with age, we tend to become more prone to frequent backaches. In addition to this, undergoing certain surgeries can cause this problem, in which case it helps to look for a post-surgery rehab facility. Let us learn more about the reasons for back pain and ways we can manage age-related back pain.
Common Causes of Back Pain in Seniors
- Loss of elasticity and moisture in the skin and muscles
- Gradual weakening of cartilage inside the spine
- Disc degeneration, arthritic facet joints, or thickened ligaments
- Narrowing of the spinal cord’s canal causing nerve pain
- Muscle pain and tenderness
7 Tips to Deal with Age-Related Back Pain
- Engage in Physical Activities
Slouching in front of a computer screen or television is not healthy for your spine and staying physically active is the best way to deal with a backache. Practice good posture when you engage in activities that involve sitting for a long period. You could also get massages to help ease your pain. - Opt for Physical Therapy
Physicians have the expertise to help reduce backaches. They can prescribe a healthy exercise program that can improve your balance and help you gain flexibility and strength. Strengthening your abdominal and back muscles can help make the spinal cord more resilient, thus providing you relief from discomfort and pain. It may include:- Core strengthening
- Stretching
- Flexibility exercises
- Testing your limit of pain tolerance
- Adapting a proper posture
- Take Proper Medications
Anti-inflammatory drugs such as aspirin, ibuprofen, acetaminophen, or naproxen can help diminish inflammatory pain. You could also consider muscle relaxants and other medications to help control and manage your back pain. - Use an Ice Pack or Heating Pad
Apply an ice pack or use a bag of frozen vegetables like peas when back pain strikes. Using ice helps to reduce muscle spasms and painful inflammation. Then, after 2-3 days, use a heating pad and take warm baths to stimulate blood flow and relax your back muscles. After removing the heat source, stretch your muscles to improve elasticity. - Eat a Healthy Diet
See if your diet could be contributing to your back pain because some foods such as processed items, refined sugars, and those high in trans fats are inflammatory. In addition to this, maintain a healthy weight to lessen your backache. - Rest
Aging tends to slow the recovery from any illness or injury. Choose gentle stretching instead of bed rest. This is because bed rest for more than 48 hours can increase the intensity of your back pain. - Consult a Doctor
It always helps to visit your doctor if the back pain persists. They can help determine the root cause of the ache and come up with accurate solutions to provide relief.
We Offer the Best Rehab Facilities Near Lincoln, RI
At The Holiday Retirement, we offer post-surgery rehab to help you recover and regain your strength. We have qualified staff who understand your needs, cater to your requirements, and offer assistance.
For more information about our post-surgery rehab facility, call us at 401-229-5059. You could also request a consultation by filling out our online form.